Laurene Holthaus

Laurene B. Holthaus, 81, of Gray Summit, Mo., passed away Monday, Oct. 17, 2008, in Chesterfield, Mo.

She was born Jan. 12, 1927, at Hollow, Mo., daughter of Albert and Laura Mueller Bartold. She and August "Bud" Holthaus were married May 26, 1951, in Manchester, Mo.

Holthaus received her education at Eureka High School. She was a bookkeeper at Cedar Lane Cabinet Co.

She was a member of Gray Summit United Methodist Church and Zion UCC of Oakfield, Mo. She was a member of United Methodist Women's Society, Gray Summit Lions Club, Tri-County Rose Society, PEO of Pacific, Mo., and was chairperson at many activities at Gray Summit UMC. She was the first woman to be chairperson administrator of the board of Gray Summit UMC. In honor of Holthaus, an award was named after her for Humanitarian by Gray Summit Lions Club.

Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Laurie and husband Allen Taylor of Cape Girardeau, Darlene and husband Stephen Meyer of O'Fallon, Mo.; a sister, Louise Wobus of Concordia, Mo.; three grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins; and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, John Bartold; and a grandson, Christopher Meyer.

The funeral was held Wednesday at Gray Summit United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Sue Biggerstaff officiating. Burial was in Pacific City Cemetery.

Nieburg-Vitt, Thiebes Funeral Home in Pacific was in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Gray Summit UMC or Zion UCC in Oakfield.